The effect of whole-body cryostimulation treatments on the profile of selected adipokines and sirtuins in middle-aged individuals with varying degrees of body fatness

Whole-body cryostimulation (WBC), a widely utilized intervention involving exposure to extremely low temperatures, elicits a range of physiological responses. Growing evidence suggests that WBC may serve as a complementary, non-pharmacological strategy for obesity management and the modulation of metabolic homeostasis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a series of WBC sessions on the profile of selected adipokines, sirtuins, and carbohydrate metabolism in individuals with normal and elevated BMI. A total of 23 volunteers participated in the study: 12 in the study group (SG; BMI >27) and 11 in the control group (CG; BMI 18.5-25). Blood samples were collected: prior to the 1st (I), after the 9th (II), after the 19th (III) WBC treatment, and two weeks following the cessation of the intervention (IV). The WBC series had a positive impact on fasting blood glucose (I vs II p=0.035; I vs III p=0.039), glycated hemoglobin (I vs IV p=0.004), and asprosin (I vs IV p = 0.020). A positive effect was observed in SG on levels of: asprosin (I vs IV p < 0.001), SIRT1 (p < 0.001), insulin (I vs III p=0.041, I vs IV p=0.013), and HOMA-IR (I vs III p=0.009, I vs IV p=0.009). The WBC series lowered leptin concentrations in SG (I vs III p=0.013) and CG (I vs III p=0.005). However, the downward trend did not continue in SG after the intervention was discontinued. A series of WBC sessions improved carbohydrate metabolism and modulated adipokine and sirtuin profiles, with the most pronounced effects observed in individuals with elevated BMI. However, this effect generally may require a longer treatment series.