Devices and methods for managing insulin resistance

Abstract

Disclosed are devices and methods for mitigating insulin resistance in a human subject by contacting one or more regions of the neck, the supraclavicular, and the interscapular regions of the human subject with a part of a cooling device, wherein the part of the cooling device has a temperature at about 15 or less Celsius degrees; cooling the one or more regions of the neck, the supraclavicular, and the interscapular regions of the human subject for a cooling period of at least 15 minutes; and performing previous two steps daily for about 14 or more days. The devices and methods may also be used to preventing, delaying or treating type 2 diabetes in a human subject or activating brown fat without incurring a sympathetic nerve-mediated cold feeling in a human subject.

1 . A method for mitigating insulin resistance in a human subject without activating brown fat, comprising:
 a. contacting one or more regions of neck, supraclavicular, and interscapular regions of the human subject with a part of a cooling device, wherein the part of the cooling device has a temperature at about 15 or less Celsius degrees;   b. cooling the one or more regions of neck, supraclavicular, and interscapular regions of the human subject for a cooling period of at least 15 minutes; and   c. performing steps a and b for one or more times daily for about 14 or more days.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the part of the cooling device has a temperature ranging from about 4 to about 15 Celsius degrees. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the part of the cooling device has a temperature ranging from about −15 to about 4 Celsius degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling period ranges from about 15 to about 30 minutes. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling period ranges from about 30 minutes to about 2 hours. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling period ranges from about 2 to about 4 hours. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling device has a temperature controller that can be used to adjust the temperature of the part of the cooling device that contacts the human subject. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of applying electroacupuncture to one or more regions selected from the group consisting of the neck, the supraclavicular and the interscapular regions in step b. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the electroacupuncture is applied simultaneously during the cooling period. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the electroacupuncture is applied prior to the cooling period. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the electroacupuncture is applied in a period that overlaps the cooling period. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein in the step c, the steps a and b are performed once daily for 14 or more days. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein in the step c, the steps a and b are performed twice daily for 14 or more days. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein in the step c, the steps a and b are performed thrice daily for 14 or more days. 
     
     
         15 . A method for preventing, delaying or treating type 2 diabetes in a human subject without activating brown fat, comprising:
 a. contacting one or more regions of neck, supraclavicular, and interscapular regions of the human subject with a part of a cooling device, wherein the part of the cooling device has a temperature at about 15 or less Celsius degrees;   b. cooling the one or more regions of the neck, the supraclavicular, and the interscapular regions of the human subject for a cooling period of at least 15 minutes; and   c. performing steps a and b for one or more times daily for about 14 or more days.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the part of the cooling device has a temperature ranging from about 4 to about 15 Celsius degrees. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the part of the cooling device has a temperature ranging from about −15 to about 4 Celsius degrees. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the cooling period ranges from about 15 to about 30 minutes. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the cooling period ranges from about 30 minutes to about 2 hours. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the cooling period ranges from about 2 to about 4 hours.