Emerg Med J 2017 Oct;34(10):689-690

Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA and Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK.

A short cut review was carried out to establish whether an infusion of iloprost can be used to treat frostbite to reduce the risk of needing an amputation. Three studies were directly relevant to the question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these papers are tabulated. Read More

Mil Med 2017 Sep;182(9):e1764-e1768

Tactical Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 14 University Drive, Robina, QLD 4226.

The Arctic Ram Exercise was conducted in February 2016, near Resolute Bay on Cornwallis Island in Nunavut, Canada, to demonstrate the ability of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to rapidly deploy to the arctic as an immediate response team. This report describes medical problems experienced by the 187 CAF and 28 U.S. Read More

J Burn Care Res 2017 Aug 31. Epub 2017 Aug 31.

From the *Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA; †Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Philadelphia, PA; ‡Temple Burn Center, Philadelphia, PA.

Reports of iatrogenic cold thermal injuries are rare in the literature. Conductive cooling devices, typically employed for their neuroprotective effects, use conductive hydrogel pads to achieve rapid and precise temperature control approaching the level of water immersion. Despite a number of built-in safeguards, prolonged or improper use of these devices can lead to significant thermal injury. Read More

Undersea Hyperb Med 2017 Jul-Aug;44(4):365-369

Maasstad Hospital, Department of Burn and Trauma Surgery, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Frostbite is an injury caused by the freezing of tissue, causing varied levels of tissue damage and necrosis. Case reports have shown a positive effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO₂) in such injuries, in acute cases as well as delayed (up to 21 days) presentation with complications. In this case report we present the course of hyperbaric treatment of two patients (a brother and sister, age 58 and 62) who sustained frostbite injuries to both feet 28 days earlier while hiking in the Himalayas. Read More

Burns 2017 Nov 1;43(7):1455-1463. Epub 2017 Aug 1.

Helsinki Burn Centre, Department of Plastic Surgery, Töölö Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Finland.

Background: Severe frostbite can result in devastating injuries leading to significant morbidity and loss of function from distal extremity amputation. The modern day management approach to frostbite injuries is evolving from a historically very conservative approach to the increasingly reported use of early interventional angiography and fibrinolysis with tPA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of our frostbite treatment protocol introduced 3 years ago. Read More

Burns 2017 Nov 1;43(7):1449-1454. Epub 2017 Aug 1.

Department of Burns, Third Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Inner Mongolia Institute of Burn Research, Baotou, Inner Mongolia, China. Electronic address:

Background: The aim of this study is to analyze the data of amputees in the burn center of the Inner Mongolia region and to provide instructive suggestions for a preventative reduction of the amputation rate.

Methods: Between 2004 and 2016, all patient medical profiles were reviewed to extract data of patients with major amputation. Demographic data, mechanism of injury, location and level of amputation were recorded. Read More

Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 2017 Jul 12. Epub 2017 Jul 12.

Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Health System, Michigan Medicine, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.

Purpose: To report outcomes of intra-arterial thrombolysis versus non-thrombolytic management of severe frostbite with respect to digital amputation rates and hospital length of stay (LOS).

Materials And Methods: Seventeen patients with severe frostbite were identified from 2000 to 2017. Eight (47%) patients with mean age of 40 years underwent intra-arterial thrombolysis and served as the treatment group. Read More

Indian J Nucl Med 2017 Jul-Sep;32(3):203-207

Department of Nuclear Medicine, Army Hospital Research and Referral, New Delhi, India.

Frostbite or cold burn is the medical condition in which localized damage is caused to exposed skin and subcutaneous tissue due to freezing. Frostbite most likely involves body parts farthest from the heart and those with large exposed areas. At or below 0 °C (32 °F), blood vessels close to the skin start to constrict, and blood is shunted away from the extremities via the physiological feedback action of glomus bodies. Read More

Sud Med Ekspert 2017;60(3):42-49

Bureau of Forensic Medical Expertisem Moscow Health Department, Moscow, Russia, 107023; Federal state budgetary institution 'Russian Federal Centre of Forensic Medical Expertise', Ministry of Health of the Russia, Moscow, Russia, 125284.

The authors present the data of the literature publications and theoretical considerations concerning the causes and conditions behind the formation of the chilling injury. It is demonstrated that the chilling injury develops as a consequence of a disturbance in the relationship between the hypothermic protection of the organism and the cooling potential of its environment. The thermal balance of the human organism depends not only on the natural mechanisms of physical and chemical thermoregulation but also on the character of artificial thermoregulation including the man-made means of cold protection. Read More

World J Gastroenterol 2017 Jun;23(22):4080-4089

Qiao-Huan Yan, Department of Geriatrics, the First Hospital of Handan, Handan 056001, Hebei Province, China.

Aim: To observe the effect of targeted therapy with 64-slice spiral computed tomography (CT) combined with cryoablation for liver cancer.

Methods: A total of 124 patients (142 tumors) were enrolled into this study. According to the use of dual-slice spiral CT or 64-slice spiral CT as a guide technology, patients were divided into two groups: dual-slice group (n = 56, 65 tumors) and 64-slice group (n = 8, 77 tumors). Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2017 Jun 19;2017. Epub 2017 Jun 19.

Ilulissat Hospital, Ilulissat, Greenland.

Frostbite may cause lesions. The severity ranges from superficial wounds to severe cases with loss of limbs and tissue. Hence, proper treatment is of utmost importance. Read More

J Burn Care Res 2017 May 26. Epub 2017 May 26.

From the Department of Surgery, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN.

Cold exposure that leads to frostbite puts patients at high risk for extremity amputations. Recent treatment advances, such as thrombolytic administration, have decreased amputation rates. However, little is known about patient outcomes with early mobilization of affected limbs. Read More

Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2017 Jun;60(6):605-617

Abteilung Allergologie, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 51-59, 63225, Langen, Deutschland.

Background: Multiple environmental exposures may derange the regulatory and repair mechanisms of the skin and lead to dermatological disease.

Objectives: Provide an overview of non-allergic skin diseases associated with environmental factors.

Materials And Methods: Review of current scientific evidence for associations of non-allergic skin diseases with environmental exposures: irritation, chemicals, infection, UV-radiation, temperature. Read More

Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle) 2017 May;6(5):143-152

Angie Purvis, LLC, Evergreen, Colorado.

Objective: Topical oxygen devices are Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared for the following indications for use of various etiologies: skin ulcerations due to diabetes, venous stasis, postsurgical infections and gangrenous lesions, decubitus ulcers; amputations/infected stumps; skin grafts; burns; and frostbite. The goal of this study was to understand the impact of topical oxygen therapy (TOT) on patient outcomes, including amputation and healing rates. Approach: This retrospective chart review included records collected between January 1, 2007, and July 18, 2016, from male and female patients ranging in age from 4 years to 105 years. Read More

Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2017 May 11. Epub 2017 May 11.

Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden.

Purpose: To investigate whether exposure to cold could influence the thermal perception thresholds in a working population.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was comprised of 251 males and females and was carried out at two mines in the northern part of Norway and Sweden. The testing included a baseline questionnaire, a clinical examination and measurements of thermal perception thresholds, on both hands, the index (Digit 2) and little (Digit 5) fingers, for heat and cold. Read More

Wilderness Environ Med 2017 Jun 5;28(2S):S82-S89. Epub 2017 May 5.

Department of Surgery, Center for Translational Injury Research, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas (Holcomb).

For centuries, cold and wet weather has affected military combat operations leading to tremendous loss of manpower caused by cold-weather-related injuries including trench foot, frostbite, and hypothermia. The initial battlefield management of hypothermia in military personnel had not advanced significantly following many wars and conflicts until 2006. The aim of this review is to: 1) provide an overview of trauma-induced hypothermia (TIH); 2) highlight the Department of Defense strategy for the implementation of a hypothermia clinical management program for battlefield (prehospital) casualties; 3) highlight the research and development of the Hypothermia Prevention and Management Kit (HPMK) as the preferred field rewarming system for battlefield TIH; and 4) emphasize how the HPMK can be easily transitioned to the civilian sector for active rewarming of both accidental and TIH patients. Read More

Neural Regen Res 2017 Mar;12(3):440-446

Institute of Neurobiology, College of Life Science, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan Province, China.

Cold exposure is an external stress factor that causes skin frostbite as well as a variety of diseases. Estrogen might participate in neuroprotection after cold exposure, but its precise mechanism remains unclear. In this study, mice were exposed to 10°C for 7 days and 0-4°C for 30 days to induce a model of chronic cold exposure. Read More

Int J Circumpolar Health 2017 ;76(1):1273677

e Department of Radiology , University Hospital North Norway, Tromsø , Norway.

Frostbite sequelae are a relevant occupational injury outcome for soldiers in arctic environments. A Caucasian male soldier suffered frostbite to both hands during a military winter exercise. He developed sensory-motor disturbances and cold hypersensitivity. Read More

Emerg Med Clin North Am 2017 May;35(2):281-299

Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Warwick Medical School and Coventry University, Coventry, UK.

Deep frostbite is a thermal injury associated with significant morbidity. Historically, this has been associated with military personnel; however, increasingly it is becoming an injury that afflicts the civilian population. The use of intravenous iloprost or intra-arterial thrombolytics has led to promising tissue salvage. Read More

Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2017 Apr 11. Epub 2017 Apr 11.

Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden.

Purpose: To describe the self-reported ambient cold exposure in northern Sweden and to relate the level of cumulative cold exposure to the occurrence of sensory and vascular hand symptoms. We hypothesize that cold exposure is positively related to reporting such symptoms.

Methods: A questionnaire about cold exposure and related symptoms was sent out to 35,144 subjects aged 18-70 years and living in northern Sweden. Read More

J Wound Care 2017 Apr;26(4):188-190

Specialty Registrar in Plastic Surgery, Department of Plastic Surgery, St John's Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.

This case study describes frostbite, a previously unreported complication following cryolipolysis, which resulted in substantial necrosis of the flank. Medical attention was not sought until one week after treatment. On examination, two distinct areas of significant frostbite in the left flank with surrounding erythema were revealed. Read More

Hand Clin 2017 May;33(2):257-267

The University of Chicago Medicine, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC 6035, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. Electronic address:

New treatments of frostbite have led to unprecedented salvage of extremities including fingers and toes. Success is predicated on prompt institution of time-sensitive protocols initiated soon after rewarming, particularly the use of thombolytics. Unfortunately, in the urban setting, most patients are not candidates for these treatment modalities. Read More

J Therm Biol 2017 Apr 6;65:153-160. Epub 2017 Mar 6.

Foolad Institute of Technology, Fooladshahr, Isfahan 84916-63763, Iran.

The existing computational models of frostbite injury are limited to one and two dimensional schemes. In this study, a coupled thermo-fluid model is applied to simulate a finger exposed to cold weather. The spatial variability of finger-tip temperature is compared to experimental ones to validate the model. Read More

J Burn Care Res 2017 Mar 15. Epub 2017 Mar 15.

From the Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Frostbite injury causes direct damage to tissues following exposure to temperatures below their freezing point causing tissue death potentially leading to serious amputations. After rewarming, a variety of treatment options have been employed to avoid amputation. This case report details the use of indocyanine green fluorescence microangiography to monitor the clinical progression of perfusion following hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for severe frostbite injury. Read More

Clin Sports Med 2017 Apr;36(2):315-335

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Electronic address:

In cases of head trauma, the ear should be evaluated in all of its components. A good understanding of otologic and skull base anatomy enables a thorough trauma assessment of this complex anatomic region. Auricular laceration, abrasion, avulsion, hematoma, frostbite, otitis externa, exostosis, tympanic membrane perforation, ossicular discontinuity, perilymphatic fistula, labyrinthine concussion, temporal bone fracture, facial nerve paresis, and sensorineural hearing loss are a few of the more common otologic injuries seen in active patients. Read More

J Burn Care Res 2017 Sep/Oct;38(5):e877-e881

From the Department of Pharmacy, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois.

Frostbite can lead to severe consequences including loss of digits and limbs. One of the mechanisms of frostbite includes vascular thrombosis. The use of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in frostbite has been shown to be effective in case reports and small prospective studies. Read More

J Hand Surg Am 2017 Mar;42(3):175-181.e1

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH.

Purpose: Limited literature supports using ethyl chloride topical spray as an anesthetic for hand injections whereas documented risks include frostbite, skin irritation, and inhalation toxicity. We hypothesize that ethyl chloride spray imparts no benefit to patients' perception of pain or anxiety for routine hand injections.

Methods: We first surveyed all members of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand to discern the prevalence of ethyl chloride use during routine injections. Read More

Indian J Dermatol 2017 Jan-Feb;62(1):59-65

Department of Dermatology, Military Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.

Approximately, 140 million people worldwide live permanently at high altitudes (HAs) and approximately another 40 million people travel to HA area (HAA) every year for reasons of occupation, sports or recreation. In India, whole of Ladakh region, part of Northwest Kashmir, Northern part of Sikkim and Tenga valley of Arunachal are considered inhabited areas of HAA. The low quantity of oxygen, high exposure of ultraviolet (UV) light, very low humidity, extreme subzero temperature in winter, high wind velocity, make this region difficult for lowlanders as well as for tourists. Read More

Mil Med Res 2017 8;4. Epub 2017 Feb 8.

Department of Thermal Injuries of the S.M. Kirov Military Medical Academy, Major of Medical Service, Zagorodnyy Prospect, 47, 190013 Saint-Petersburg, Russia.

The start of World War II (WWII) led to the deployment of combat troops in several continents. Destruction and many casualties among both the military and civilians became an inevitable consequence. A large amount of people injured were in need of life-saving treatment and a speedy return to duty. Read More

Br J Gen Pract 2017 Mar 13;67(656):e187-e193. Epub 2017 Feb 13.

Department of Primary and Community Care, Gender and Women's Health; Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

Background: GPs prescribe topical corticosteroids to patients with chronic chilblains despite poor evidence for their effectiveness. The authors of the current study therefore decided to assess the effectiveness of topical steroids in a primary care setting.

Aim: To assess the effectiveness of topical application of betamethasone valerate 0. Read More

Burns 2017 Aug 31;43(5):1088-1096. Epub 2017 Jan 31.

Department of Surgery, Division of Critical Care, Trauma and Burn, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 410 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. Electronic address:

Objective: tPA and anticoagulation for treatment of severe frostbite have been reported suggesting differences in imaging techniques, route of tPA administration and management of patients after tPA infusion. This is a report of our results following a protocol of Tc-99m scanning, intravenous tPA administration, followed by either systemic anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy.

Methods: Patients admitted to our burn center between February 13, 2015 and February 13, 2016 for frostbite who met inclusion criteria were treated with Tc-99m scan and intravenous tPA followed by systemic anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy. Read More

Zhonghua Lao Dong Wei Sheng Zhi Ye Bing Za Zhi 2016 Oct;34(10):792-793

G Ital Dermatol Venereol 2017 02;152(1):82-83

Section of Dermatology, Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.

J Pharm Health Care Sci 2016 15;2:33. Epub 2016 Nov 15.

Department of Pharmacy, Iwate Medical University Hospital, 19-1 Uchimaru, Morioka, Iwate, 020-8505 Japan ; Department of Clinical Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Iwate Medical University, 2-1-1 Nishitokuta, Yahaba, Iwate, 028-3694 Japan.

Background: There are currently no promising therapies available to treat or prevent peripheral neuropathy (PN) induced by anticancer drugs in a cumulative dose-dependent manner. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of regional cooling of hands and feet in preventing paclitaxel (PTX)-induced PN.

Methods: Patients with gynecologic cancer who received a tri-weekly cycle of chemotherapy including PTX at doses of 150-175 mg/m(2) were included in this study. Read More

Wilderness Environ Med 2016 Dec 3;27(4):526-532. Epub 2016 Nov 3.

Endocrinology and Nuclear Thyroidology, Richmond, VA. Electronic address:

This essay will review historical and medical aspects of cold exposure, hypothermia, and frostbite during the Napoleonic era. The 19th century writings of Dominique Jean Larrey, Pierre Jean Moricheau-Beaupré, and others are used to provide an evocative supporting narrative to illustrate some of the cold illnesses, physiology, and theory of both an earlier era and the present time. Medical care for over a century followed the how but not the why of treating frostbite and hypothermia slowly with snow or cold water rather than heat. Read More

J Appl Physiol (1985) 2017 Jan 27;122(1):153-160. Epub 2016 Oct 27.

Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas; and

Exercise intolerance characteristic of diseases such as chronic heart failure (CHF) and diabetes is associated with reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability from nitric oxide synthase (NOS), resulting in an impaired microvascular O2 driving pressure (Po2mv; O2 delivery/O2 utilization) and metabolic control. Infusions of the potent NO donor sodium nitroprusside augment NO bioavailability yet decrease mean arterial pressure (MAP) thereby reducing its potential efficacy for patient populations. To eliminate or reduce hypotensive sequelae, [Formula: see text] was superfused onto the spinotrapezius muscle. Read More

MSMR 2016 Oct;23(10):12-20

From July 2015 through June 2016, a total of 447 members of the active (n=383) and reserve (n=64) components had at least one medical encounter with a primary diagnosis of cold injury. The numbers of affected individuals in both components were the lowest since the 2011-2012 cold season, when the total was 394. In the active component, the service-specific incidence rates for each of the four services were lower than the respective rates for the previous (2014-2015) cold season. Read More

Wound Repair Regen 2016 Nov 12;24(6):1015-1022. Epub 2016 Oct 12.

The Department of Ultrasound, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China.

Plateau frostbite (PF) treatments have remained a clinical challenge because this condition injures tissues in deep layers and affected tissues exhibit unique pathological characteristics. For instance, low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) can affect tissue restoration and penetrate tissues. Therefore, the effect of PEMF on PF healing should be investigated. Read More

CJEM 2017 Mar 22;19(2):88-95. Epub 2016 Sep 22.

*University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine,Ottawa Hospital Research Institute,Ottawa,ON.

Background: Frostbite is a common yet challenging injury to both diagnose and treat. McCauley's frostbite treatment protocol consists of 12 treatments that might well represent the standard of care. However, its effectiveness in preventing operative intervention has yet to be examined. Read More

J Vasc Interv Radiol 2016 Dec 9;27(12):1798-1805. Epub 2016 Sep 9.

Departments of Interventional Oncology Guangzhou, China. Electronic address:

Purpose: To evaluate the pain-alleviating effect of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous cryoablation for recurrent retroperitoneal soft-tissue sarcomas (RPSs).

Materials And Methods: Data from 19 men and 20 women (median age, 50.3 y) with recurrent malignant RPS who underwent percutaneous cryoablation were reviewed retrospectively. Read More

Chest 2016 Sep;150(3):e65-71

Pediatric Pulmonology Department, Hôpital Femme-Mère-Enfant, Hospices civils de Lyon, UMR5558, Lyon, France. Electronic address:

We report three cases of pulmonary disease suggesting fibrosis in two familial and one sporadic case. Pulmonary symptoms were associated with various clinical features of systemic inflammation and vasculitis involving the skin, and appeared at different ages. A strong interferon signature was found in all three cases. Read More

BMC Anesthesiol 2016 Sep 9;16:77. Epub 2016 Sep 9.

Department of PICU, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China.

Background: A new rectal cooling device for therapeutic hypothermia (TH) therapy is designed and is applied in TH treatment of SD rats with ischemic-hypoxic brain damage.

Methods: Healthy adult SD rats (n = 45) were randomly assigned into four groups: the healthy control group (n = 5), the ischemia and hypoxia group (n = 10), the rectal TH cooling group (n = 18), and the ice blanket TH cooling group (n = 11). The rats in the rectal cooling and ice blanket TH groups received 12 h treatment after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage had been established, while those in the ischemia and hypoxia group did not. Read More

J Burn Care Res 2017 Jan/Feb;38(1):53-59

From the Department of Surgery, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Severe frostbite is associated with high levels of morbidity through loss of digits or limbs. The aim of this study was to examine the salvage rate following severe frostbite injury. Frostbite patients from 2006 to 2014 were identified in the prospectively maintained database at a single urban burn and trauma center. Read More

J Vasc Interv Radiol 2016 Dec 24;27(12):1907-1912. Epub 2016 Aug 24.

Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio. Electronic address:

Purpose: To evaluate the imaging, histologic changes and safety of computed tomography (CT)-guided cryoablation of the parotid glands in a porcine model.

Materials And Methods: Unilateral CT-guided parotid gland cryoablation was performed in 5 juvenile miniature pigs. The ablated parotid glands underwent 2 cycles of 10-minute freeze and 5-minute thaw using three 17-g cryoprobes. Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2017 Feb 26;76(2):468-472. Epub 2016 Aug 26.

Department of Pediatrics, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.

Objectives: Familial chilblain lupus is a monogenic form of cutaneous lupus erythematosus caused by loss-of-function mutations in the nucleases TREX1 or SAMHD1. In a family without TREX1 or SAMHD1 mutation, we sought to determine the causative gene and the underlying disease pathology.

Methods: Exome sequencing was used for disease gene identification. Read More

Zhonghua Lao Dong Wei Sheng Zhi Ye Bing Za Zhi 2016 Jun;34(6):457-8

Radiographics 2016 Nov-Dec;36(7):2154-2169. Epub 2016 Aug 5.

From the Division of Nuclear Medicine (J.D.M., R.K.J.B., M.D.G., K.K.W.) and Division of Musculoskeletal Radiology (J.A.J.), Department of Radiology, and Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery (B.L., C.T.K.), University of Michigan Health System, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, UH B1-D502, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.

Frostbite is a localized cold thermal injury that results from tissue freezing. Frostbite injuries can have a substantial effect on long-term limb function and mobility if not promptly evaluated and treated. Imaging plays a critical role in initial evaluation of frostbite injuries and in monitoring response to treatment. Read More

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2016 20;2016:3160247. Epub 2016 Jun 20.

Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, College of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China.

Angelica sinensis has been used to attenuate cold-induced cutaneous vasospasm syndrome, such as Raynaud's disease and frostbite, in China for many years. Ferulic acid (PubChem CID: 445858) and Z-ligustilide (PubChem CID: 529865), two major components extracted from Angelica sinensis, had been reported to inhibit vasoconstriction induced by vasoconstrictors. In this study, the pharmacological interaction in regulating cold-induced vascular smooth muscle cell contraction via cold-sensing protein TRPM8 and TRPA1 was analyzed between ferulic acid and Z-ligustilide. Read More

Wilderness Environ Med 2016 Sep 7;27(3):355-63. Epub 2016 Jul 7.

Department of Medical Engineering, Urumchi General Hospital of Lanzhou Military Region, Urumchi, China (Drs Geng, Jiao, Lou, and Jiao). Electronic address:

Objectives: Pathophysiologic changes of frostbite have been postulated but rarely understood, especially the changes caused by chilly high altitude environment. Therefore, we investigated the pathophysiologic changes of high altitude frostbite (HAF) caused by cold and hypoxia.

Methods: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 equal groups, namely, control, superficial HAF (S-HAF), partial-thickness HAF (PT-HAF), full-thickness HAF (FT-HAF), and partial-thickness normal frostbite (PT-NF) groups. Read More