title: Intestinal barrier dysfunction, endotoxemia, and gastrointestinal symptoms: the 'canary in the coal mine' during exercise-heat stress?
abstract: Reduced intestinal blood flow and high intestinal temperatures during exercise-heat stress can lead to intestinal barrier dysfunction. Such dysfunction may increase intestinal permeability to endotoxin. During exercise-heat stress, intestinal barrier dysfunction and endotoxemia can produce gastrointestinal symptoms and increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Such problems may be a warning sign ('canary in the coal mine') for the onset of exertional heat stroke. Failure to heed such a warning may culminate in problems indicative of exertional heat stroke such as circulatory collapse and multiple organ failure. Prior exposure to exercise-heat stress may, however, be a protective mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise Science, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebr., USA.
authors.forename: G Patrick
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Lambert
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D016207:Cytokines; D019446:Endotoxemia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015444:Exercise; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018882:Heat Stress Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010539:Permeability
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines