Non-freezing cold injury (NFCI) information website

Latest NFCI papers published

The most comprehensive study of NFCI examining the neural, vascular and biomarker changes associated with chronic NFCI compared to matched controls was published in three papers in Experimental Physiology in 2023. These papers showed that individuals with chronic NFCI were cold intolerant compared to controls possibly due to increased endothelin-1, had impaired sensory function and may have reduced intraepidermal nerve fibre density, rewarmed more slowly after a cold challenge and had a reduced vasoconstrictor response to deep inspiration. Plasma syndecan and interleukin-10 were elevated in individuals with NFCI and cold exposed controls. Based on the tests conducted, chronic NFCI did not appear to be associated with endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress or a pro-inflammatory state. 

Eglin CM, Wright JA, Shepherd AI, Massey H, Hollis S, Towse J, Young JS, Maley M, Bailey S, Wilkinson C, Montgomery H & Tipton MJ (2023). Plasma biomarkers of endothelial function, inflammation and oxidative stress in individuals with non-freezing cold injury. Experimental Physiology 108:448-64.

Wright, J. Massey, H., Hollis, S., Vale, T., Bennett, D., Maley, M., Montgomery, H., Tipton, M.J., Eglin, C.M (2023) Peripheral sensory function in non-freezing cold injury patients and matched controls. Experimental Physiology 108:438-447

Eglin, C. M., Wright, J. A., Maley, M., Hollis, S., Massey, H., Montgomery, H., & Tipton, M. J. (2023). The peripheral vascular responses in non-freezing cold injury and matched controls. Experimental Physiology 108:420-437.