biostudies-literatureUnknown241(4)Keen ANBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council<h4>Aim</h4>Cardiac fibrosis contributes to systolic and diastolic dysfunction and can disrupt electrical pathways in the heart. There are currently no therapies that prevent or reverse fibrosis in human cardiac disease. However, animals like freshwater turtles undergo seasonal remodeling of their hearts, demonstrating the plasticity of fibrotic remodeling. In Trachemys scripta, cold temperature affects cardiac load, suppresses metabolism, and triggers a cardiac remodeling response that includes fibrosis.<h4>Methods</h4>We investigated this remodeling using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) imaging spectroscopy, together with functional assessment of muscle stiffness, and molecular, histological, and enzymatic analyses in control (25°C) T. scripta and after 8 weeks of cold (5°C) acclimatioActa physiologica (Oxford, England)e70026https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11909586biostudies-literatureCold-induced fibrosis and metabolic remodeling in the turtle (Trachemys scripta) ventricle.PMC11909586Keen ANMackrill JJMarrin JHolsgrove AJGalli GLJMcConnell JCShiels HACrossley JSherratt MJGardner PHenderson ACrossley DAfalseCold-induced fibrosis and metabolic remodeling in the turtle (Trachemys scripta) ventricle.<h4>Aim</h4>Cardiac fibrosis contributes to systolic and diastolic dysfunction and can disrupt electrical pathways in the heart. There are currently no therapies that prevent or reverse fibrosis in human cardiac disease. However, animals like freshwater turtles undergo seasonal remodeling of their hearts, demonstrating the plasticity of fibrotic remodeling. In Trachemys scripta, cold temperature affects cardiac load, suppresses metabolism, and triggers a cardiac remodeling response that includes fibrosis.<h4>Methods</h4>We investigated this remodeling using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) imaging spectroscopy, together with functional assessment of muscle stiffness, and molecular, histological, and enzymatic analyses in control (25°C) T. scripta and after 8 weeks of cold (5°C) acclimatio2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Apr2026-04-23T03:19:37.855Z2025-04-04T00:32:00.635ZS-EPMC119095864008789410.1111/apha.70026