Scientists find link between insulin, core body temperature

American scientists have discovered a direct link between insulin — a hormone long associated with metabolism and metabolic disorders such as diabetes — and core body temperature.

The team led by scientists at the Scripps Research Institute have found that when insulin was injected directly into a specific area of the brain in rodents, core body temperature rose, metabolism increased, and brown adipose (fat) tissue was activated to release heat.

These effects were dose-dependent — up to a point, the more insulin, the more these metabolic measures rose, they added.

While much research has been conducted on insulin since its discovery in the 1920s, this is the first time the hormone has been connected to the fundamental process of temperature regulation, journal Diabetes reported.

"Scientists have known for many years that insulin is involved in glucose regulation in tissues outside the brain but the connection to temperature regulation in the brain is new," said Manuel Sanchez-Alavez, who led the study.

"Our paper highlights the possibility that differences in core temperature may play a role in obesity and may represent a therapeutic area in future drug design," Alavez added.

In addition to suggesting a fresh perspective on diseases such as diabetes that involve the disruption of insulin pathways, the study adds to our understanding of core body temperature.