Cold environments and health: proteomic analysis of health impacts

Abstract Background Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, shallow breathing, and slight thickening of the blood. Working in extremely cold environments can have negative effects on health, yet there are currently no effective biomarkers to monitor these health conditions. Proteins are important intermediate phenotypes that can provide a theoretical basis for understanding disease pathophysiology. Proteins in the circulatory system reflect the physiological status of individuals, and plasma proteins have significant potential as biomarkers for various health conditions. Methods In this study, we employed the Mendelian randomization (MR) method to analyze the effects of freezing temperatures on over 2900 plasma proteins. Subsequently, the selected plasma proteins were subjected to causal analysis in relation to 55 diseases, including respiratory disorders, cardiovascular diseases, various cancers, and oral diseases. The aim was to identify proteins that could serve as biomarkers for health status. Results Our results indicate that cold environments may affect the concentrations of 78 plasma proteins. Further MR analysis revealed that nine of these plasma proteins are associated with the risk of respiratory disorders, cardiovascular diseases, various cancers, and oral diseases. Conclusion These proteins show promise as biomarkers for monitoring the hazards and risks faced by individuals working in cold environments. These findings provide valuable insights into the biological mechanisms underlying occupational hazards.