The effect of sodium balance on sweat sodium secretion and plasma aldosterone concentration.
The effect of manipulating sodium intake upon sweat sodium secretion was investigated during heat acclimation. Twenty-five male subjects were confined to an environmental chamber at a temperature of 25 degrees C for 3 days, and then acclimated to heat by a further 5 days at 40 degrees C. The subjects' daily sodium intake was controlled throughout as follows: high (HNa), 348.4 (0.8) mmol x day(-1), n=7; moderate (MNa), 174.1 (0.6) mmol x day(-1), n=9; or low (LNa), 66.3 mmol x day(-1), n=9. Sodium losses were estimated from urinary, faecal and sweat collections using a whole-body washdown method. Plasma aldosterone concentration was also measured from venous blood sampled each morning. Measurements of body temperature and heart rate during the heat exposure phase indicated a degree of heat acclimation. During this heat phase there was a reduction (P < 0.01) in sweat sodium secretion for all three conditions which was greatest for the LNa condition, although this finding was not significant (P < 0.1). In the LNa condition, plasma aldosterone concentration increased (P < 0.05) prior to heat exposure, and the secretion of aldosterone was potentiated (P < 0.01) during the heat exposure in comparison with the MNa condition. In contrast, the HNa diet produced a fall (P < 0.05) in plasma aldosterone concentration prior to heat exposure and an attenuation of aldosterone secretion thereafter. These findings are inconsistent with the hypothesis that retention of sweat sodium is dependent upon a net body sodium deficit, but demonstrate that aldosterone secretion is potentiated under such conditions.
Allsopp
A J
AJ
Institute of Naval Medicine, Gosport, Hampshire, UK.
Sutherland
R
R
Wood
P
P
Wootton
S A
SA
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012982:Sodium, Dietary / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D013546:Sweating / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance / Q000502:physiology; D015431:Weight Loss
D012982:Sodium, Dietary; D000450:Aldosterone