An emergency rescue product and method for hypothermia protection in low-temperature environments

Abstract

This invention discloses an emergency product and method for hypothermia protection in low-temperature environments, belonging to the field of hypothermia protection and emergency care. This invention is the first to apply triiodothyronine (T3) to the preparation of an emergency product for hypothermia protection in low-temperature environments, fully utilizing T3's ability to rapidly increase heat production in tissues such as brown adipose tissue, thereby enhancing the body's active heat production capacity. Combining the physiological metabolic characteristics of the human body with the pharmacological properties of T3, this invention has achieved excellent results in animal experiments. On the one hand, T3 can maintain the core body temperature of hypothermic experimental animals at a higher level for a longer period, resulting in increased swimming time and extending the golden time for rescue. On the other hand, it can effectively improve the recovery of body temperature after rescue, significantly increasing the success rate of treatment. However, when using T4, which is considered more effective in conventional clinical settings, no significant improvement in these two aspects was observed, fully demonstrating the specificity and superiority of T3.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of hypothermia protection and emergency rescue, specifically relating to an emergency rescue product and method for hypothermia protection in low-temperature environments. Background Technology

[0002] Humans can suddenly find themselves in low-temperature environments due to changes in geographical location, climate, and work environment, leading to hypothermia. In terms of occupational and work environment, examples include PLA soldiers encountering extreme weather while on missions in high-altitude areas; cold storage workers accidentally locked inside deep-sea freezers; herders encountering blizzards during migrations; and forest rangers experiencing sudden weather changes during patrols. In outdoor recreation and adventure activities, such as tourists encountering rain, snow, or storms while hiking or mountaineering; and boating, paddleboarding, or sea fishing enthusiasts accidentally falling into cold waters, these are among the most urgent cases of hypothermia. In my country, except for the sea area south of Zhanjiang where the surface temperature exceeds 20°C from March to December, the surface temperature in other sea areas is below 20°C, with some areas even approaching 0°C. Furthermore, with the increasing number of scientific expeditions to the North and South Poles, the temperature in the relevant waters is generally around 0°C. It is unavoidable for frontline naval personnel or scientific researchers to suffer hypothermia or even death after falling into cold seawater during missions in these areas. In the aforementioned low-temperature environments, if rescuers can arrive at the scene and begin rescue operations immediately, casualties can be minimized. However, rescuers often cannot locate hypothermic individuals immediately, leading to injuries or fatalities due to prolonged exposure to low temperatures. If hypothermic individuals can sustain themselves for a longer period in low-temperature environments, it will buy more time for rescue efforts, which is crucial for improving the success rate of rescuing them.

[0003] Normal human body temperature is between 36.5-37.5℃, which refers to the core temperature (CT). The body surface temperature is lower than the core temperature and fluctuates easily with changes in the surrounding environment. When the ambient temperature drops, blood vessels on the body surface constrict to reduce heat loss and prevent a drop in CT. However, in cold environments, especially when exposed to cold seawater, the body often struggles to maintain a relatively constant CT. Heat production cannot compensate for rapid heat loss, causing the CT to drop rapidly and approach the ambient temperature. If the CT continues to drop and is insufficient to meet the body's functional and metabolic needs, it can lead to functional impairment or even hypothermia. Without timely treatment, severe hypothermia can be fatal.

[0004] Currently, improving the human body's tolerance to low temperatures is mainly achieved through cold-weather training, which is a long process with significant individual differences in effectiveness, and can also cause some harm to the body during the training process. Current protective strategies primarily include isolating the body from external cold sources (insulated clothing, life rafts, etc.) and external heating (heat blankets, rewarming equipment, etc.), but these measures rely on external conditions, have relatively delayed activation, and are unlikely to provide protection before professional rescue forces arrive. Especially in marine, extremely cold environments, or battlefield conditions, limited external equipment makes it difficult to achieve truly proactive, portable, and early-stage effective protection.

[0005] Therefore, the development and utilization of emergency products and methods for protecting the body from hypothermia in low-temperature environments are essential. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides an emergency rescue product and method for hypothermia protection in low-temperature environments. The emergency rescue product and method are fast-acting, effective, and have minimal individual differences, which can effectively improve the success rate of rescue for people who fall into low-temperature environments.

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned technical objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: One of the objectives of this invention is to provide the application of thyroid hormone drugs in the preparation of emergency products for hypothermia protection in low-temperature environments.

[0008] Preferably, the thyroid hormone drug includes triiodothyronine.

[0009] Preferably, the thyroid hormone drug is formulated as a tablet-like solid dosage form.

[0010] Preferably, the thyroid hormone drug is packaged in a waterproof and sealed package and then attached to mountaineering equipment, which includes trekking poles and a mountaineering backpack.

[0011] Preferably, the thyroid hormone drug is waterproof and sealed in a sealed package and then attached to the outside of a life-saving device, which includes a life ring, a life jacket, and a life-saving airbag.

[0012] Preferably, the thyroid hormone drug is placed on personal belongings after being sealed in a waterproof package, and the personal belongings include bracelets, necklaces, and outer garment buttons.

[0013] Preferably, the thyroid hormone drug is taken in a low-temperature environment and / or when it is known that the patient will be entering a low-temperature environment.

[0014] Preferably, the tablet-shaped solid dosage form further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier includes glucose.

[0015] The second objective of this invention is to provide an emergency product for hypothermia protection in low-temperature environments, which includes the aforementioned thyroid hormone drug.

[0016] Preferably, the first aid products include mountaineering equipment, lifesaving devices, and / or personal items; the mountaineering equipment includes trekking poles and mountaineering backpacks, the lifesaving devices include life rings, life jackets, and lifesaving airbags, and the personal items include wristbands, collars, and outer clothing buttons.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: In the emergency treatment method for hypothermia protection in low-temperature environments of this invention, the administration of thyroid hormone (T3) can, on the one hand, increase the body's heat production, maintaining a higher core body temperature for a period of time to resist the fatal damage caused by hypothermia and prolong survival time in low-temperature environments, thus buying time for rescue. On the other hand, it can effectively improve the recovery of body temperature after rescue, significantly increasing the success rate of treatment. Compared with traditional methods of improving the body's cold resistance through low-temperature cold resistance training, the method in this invention is faster-acting, more effective, and has less individual variation, effectively improving the success rate of treating hypothermic individuals. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 The swimming time refers to the swimming time of different treatment groups in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 The difference in core temperature after swimming for 5 minutes in different treatment groups in Example 2 of this invention.

[0020] Figure 3 The results are the dynamic monitoring results of T3 blood drug concentration and endogenous thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and T4 levels in Example 3 of this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The following examples are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Any modifications or substitutions made to the methods, steps, or conditions of the present invention without departing from the spirit and essence of the invention are within the scope of the invention. The reagents, products, and instruments used in the following examples are all commercially available, and the methods used in the examples, unless otherwise specified, are consistent with conventionally used methods.

[0022] Humans may suddenly find themselves in hypothermic environments due to changes in geographical location, climate, and working environment, leading to emergency situations. In hypothermic conditions, a person's survival time is closely related to the body's energy metabolism and core body temperature. The inventive concept of this invention is to rapidly enhance the body's heat production function by administering endocrine drugs in hypothermic emergencies, effectively delaying the excessive drop in core body temperature, thereby extending the survival time of individuals in hypothermic environments, buying valuable time for rescue, and improving the success rate of hypothermic resuscitation after rescue.

[0023] The emergency treatment method for hypothermia protection in low-temperature environments of the present invention includes taking thyroid hormone drugs after hypothermia occurs or when hypothermia is anticipated.

[0024] Thyroid hormones, secreted by the thyroid gland under physiological conditions, include tetraiodothyronine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which act on almost all cells in the human body. The physiological functions of thyroid hormones include increasing the metabolic activity of various tissues, raising the metabolic rate, promoting the oxidative breakdown of energy substances such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, thus increasing oxygen consumption and heat production. Thyroid hormones also have biological functions such as promoting metabolism and development, promoting heat production, and increasing the excitability of the nervous system. This medication can be taken promptly after hypothermia occurs, or it can be taken before hypothermia is predicted.

[0025] Preferably, the drug is formulated into a tablet form.

[0026] Preferably, the drug is waterproof and sealed and then equipped on lifesaving equipment, such as attached to the outside of a life ring or rescue airbag, so that people who fall into the water at low temperatures can easily access it themselves; or the drug is waterproof and sealed and then placed in a wristband, collar, trekking pole, or outer clothing button for easy access.

[0027] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments.

[0028] Example 1 In this embodiment, a low-temperature water immersion scenario is simulated. The thyroid hormone drugs selected are the active metabolites of thyroid hormone drugs, triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4).

[0029] The effectiveness of this method was evaluated using male mice (Biocytogen, catalog number 113169) aged 8-10 weeks.

[0030] All experimental animals were first given an acclimatization swim at 17°C for 5 minutes. If any mice drowned during the acclimatization period, they were promptly retrieved and rewarmed.

[0031] Forty-eight hours after the adaptive swimming period, all experimental animals were randomly divided into three groups: a control group, a T3 powder group, and a T4 powder group. The water temperature was 17℃. Before entering the water, the body weight and rectal temperature of the mice in each group were measured. According to the experimental design, the control group was given an appropriate amount (100 μL) of PBS solution by gavage, while the other groups were given the corresponding drug solutions by gavage (T3 dosage was 1 μg / g based on body weight; T4 dosage was 10 μg / g based on body weight). Timing was started from the moment the mice entered the water. The endpoint of the mouse swimming experiment was when the mice drowned 2-3 times (exhaustion). The rectal temperature of the mice was measured again after they emerged from the water. After the test, the mice were promptly rewarmed in a 42℃ incubator, and the rectal temperature at 15 min and 30 min of rewarming was recorded.

[0032] 1) The effect of the T3 drug group on improving swimming time The three groups were simultaneously placed in cold water (17℃) and their swimming times were recorded. The results showed that the T3 powder significantly increased the swimming time of mice compared to the control group and the T4 powder group, especially compared to the control group, where the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) (as shown in Table 1 and...). Figure 1 As shown in the figure, based on the results and combined with the pharmacological characteristics of the drug, it is believed that the main reason is that the T3 drug can rapidly increase the body's heat production, so that its core body temperature can be maintained at a high level for a period of time to resist the fatal damage caused by low temperature water to the body, and can prolong the survival time in the low temperature environment, thus winning the golden time for rescuing hypothermic people.

[0033] Table 1. Effects of different drugs on increasing swimming time in mice.

[0034] 2) The effect of the T3 drug group on body temperature recovery After swimming, the experimental animals were placed in a 42°C rewarming incubator to recover, and their rectal temperatures were measured at 15 and 30 minutes of rewarming.

[0035] The results showed that the rewarming rate of mice in the T3 drug group was significantly higher than that in the control group and the T4 drug group (P<0.05) (as shown in Tables 2 and 3). Based on the results and the pharmacological characteristics of the drug, it is believed that T3 drug can rapidly improve the body temperature recovery of hypothermic individuals in the short term after rescue, which can greatly improve the success rate of treatment. T3 drug can rapidly increase the heat production of brown adipose tissue and increase the body's active heat production effect.

[0036] Table 2. Effects of different drugs on body temperature recovery in mice (rewarming for 15 min).

[0037] Table 3. Effects of different drugs on body temperature recovery in mice (rewarming for 30 min)

[0038] Example 2 All experimental animals were randomly divided into three groups: a control group, a T3 powder group, and a T4 powder group. The water temperature was 17℃. Before gavage, the body weight and rectal temperature of mice in each group were measured. According to the experimental design, the control group was given an appropriate amount of PBS solution by gavage, the T3 group was given 1 μg / g of solution according to body weight, and the T4 group was given 10 μg / g of solution according to body weight. After gavage, the mice in each group were placed on land at room temperature (24℃) for 10 min, followed by a mouse swimming experiment for 5 min. After exiting the water, the rectal temperature of the mice was measured again, and the rectal temperature of the mice at time points of 0, 10, and 15 min was observed and recorded.

[0039] 1) Effect of the T3 drug group on raising core body temperature at room temperature After gavage, the three groups of mice were placed in a dry environment (room temperature approximately 24℃) for 10 minutes. Then, the core body temperature of the mice was measured. The results showed that the increase in core body temperature caused by T3 powder was significantly higher than that of the control group and the T4 powder group. The difference was statistically significant compared with the control group (P<0.05) and also statistically significant compared with the T4 powder group (P<0.05) (as shown in Table 4). Figure 2 (As shown in the image). The results show that T3 drugs can promote heat production in a short period, causing core body temperature to rise more quickly and remain at a higher level, resulting in a rapid increase in core body temperature. Therefore, T3 drugs can be used in advance before the risk of hypothermia or hypothermia to increase the body's core body temperature, thereby enhancing the body's cold tolerance and reducing the risk of a sudden drop in body temperature.

[0040] Table 4. Effects of different drugs on increasing core temperature in mice.

[0041] 2) The effect of the T3 drug group in delaying the decrease in core body temperature during swimming. Three groups of mice were placed in a cold water environment (water temperature 17℃) for 5 minutes to swim. After swimming, the core body temperature of the mice was measured. The results showed that the decrease in core body temperature and the rate of temperature drop in the T3 powder group were significantly smaller than those in the control group and the T4 powder group. Compared with the control group, there was a significant difference (P<0.001), and compared with the T4 powder group, there was also a significant difference (P<0.01) (as shown in Table 5). These results suggest that the T3 drug can rapidly enhance the body's heat production capacity, thereby slowing down the rate of core body temperature drop and maintaining the relative stability of the body's basal metabolism and circulatory function. For hypothermic individuals in a low-temperature environment, it can alleviate the physiological damage caused by rapid temperature drop and buy a critical time window for subsequent warming and rewarming treatment.

[0042] Table 5. Effects of different drugs on delaying the decrease in core temperature in mice.

[0043] Furthermore, both T3 and T4 are thyroid hormones. T4, due to its better stability, ease of administration, and safety, is often considered the preferred clinical treatment option, while the routine use of T3 is relatively limited. However, this invention has found that in applications requiring a rapid increase in the body's adaptability / tolerance to low-temperature environments, T3 demonstrates superior short-term efficacy compared to T4, thus showcasing its advantage in this specific application.

[0044] Example 3 To verify the safety of T3 drugs, especially the effect of a single dose on the body's own thyroid hormone secretion, this invention used T3 drugs to treat mice by gavage (1ug / g) and dynamically monitored the blood concentration of T3 drugs as well as the levels of endogenous thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and T4. Figure 3 The data presented indicate that within 72 hours after administration, T3 blood concentrations returned to normal levels, and endogenous TSH and T4 levels also returned to normal.

[0045] In summary, the method for rapidly enhancing the cold tolerance of hypothermic individuals in this invention fully utilizes the ability of triiodothyronine (T3) to rapidly increase heat production in tissues such as brown adipose tissue, thereby improving the body's active heat production capacity. This invention, combining the physiological metabolic characteristics of the human body with the pharmacological properties of T3, has achieved excellent results in animal experiments. On the one hand, T3 can maintain the core body temperature of hypothermic experimental animals at a higher level for a longer period, resulting in increased swimming time and extending the golden time for rescue. On the other hand, it can effectively improve the recovery of body temperature after rescue, significantly increasing the success rate of treatment. However, when using T4, which is considered more effective in conventional clinical practice, no significant improvement in these two aspects was observed, fully demonstrating the specificity and superiority of T3 in this field.

[0046] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention should fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. Application of thyroid hormone drugs in the preparation of emergency products for hypothermia protection in low-temperature environments.

2. The application according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thyroid hormone medication includes triiodothyronine.

3. The application according to claim 2, characterized in that, The thyroid hormone drug is formulated as a tablet-like solid dosage form.

4. The application according to claim 3, characterized in that, The thyroid hormone medication is packaged in a waterproof, sealed package and then attached to mountaineering equipment, including trekking poles and a mountaineering backpack.

5. The application according to claim 3, characterized in that, The thyroid hormone drug is waterproof and sealed in a sealed package and then attached to the outside of a lifesaving device, which includes a life ring, a life jacket, and a life-saving airbag.

6. The application according to claim 3, characterized in that, The thyroid hormone medication is placed in a waterproof, sealed package on personal belongings, including bracelets, necklaces, and outer garment buttons.

7. The application according to claim 3, characterized in that, The thyroid hormone medication is taken in a low-temperature environment and / or when it is known that one will be entering a low-temperature environment.

8. The application according to claim 3, characterized in that, The tablet-shaped solid dosage form also contains a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, including glucose.

9. An emergency rescue product for hypothermia protection in low-temperature environments, characterized in that, This includes the thyroid hormone drug used in any of the applications described in claims 1-8.

10. The first aid product according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first aid products include mountaineering equipment, lifesaving devices and / or personal items; the mountaineering equipment includes trekking poles and mountaineering backpacks, the lifesaving devices include life rings, life jackets and life-saving airbags, and the personal items include wristbands, collars and outer clothing buttons.

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