Torpor or heterothermy corresponds to a state of depressed metabolism and is associated with specific metabolic, cellular and molecular adaptations that often occur on a seasonal basis. Yet the exact mechanisms and functioning of these changes are poorly understood. Interestingly, the potential of such extraordinary animal adaptation for human and animal health as well as other biomedical considerations has raised particular attention especially in the last decade. The strong metabolic and physiological adaptations of heterotherms can be of particular inspiration for current biomedical and pathological situations (e.g., obesity and related diseases, cardiovascular and metabolic dysfunctions, ischemia-reperfusion injuries, immune depression) and for the health and longevity of animal species, including humans. This Research Topic will aim at providing an overview of the already-existing knowledge, and potential future directions, on metabolic and physiological changes associated to the phenotype of metabolic depression across the endothermic animal kingdom. Possible contributions might include original research, extended and mini reviews, hypothesis and theory, perspective and opinion articles.
Torpor or heterothermy corresponds to a state of depressed metabolism and is associated with specific metabolic, cellular and molecular adaptations that often occur on a seasonal basis. Yet the exact mechanisms and functioning of these changes are poorly understood. Interestingly, the potential of such extraordinary animal adaptation for human and animal health as well as other biomedical considerations has raised particular attention especially in the last decade. The strong metabolic and physiological adaptations of heterotherms can be of particular inspiration for current biomedical and pathological situations (e.g., obesity and related diseases, cardiovascular and metabolic dysfunctions, ischemia-reperfusion injuries, immune depression) and for the health and longevity of animal species, including humans. This Research Topic will aim at providing an overview of the already-existing knowledge, and potential future directions, on metabolic and physiological changes associated to the phenotype of metabolic depression across the endothermic animal kingdom. Possible contributions might include original research, extended and mini reviews, hypothesis and theory, perspective and opinion articles.