The effect of sodium balance on sweat sodium secretion and plasma aldosterone concentration

• Published in: European journal of applied physiology 1998-11, Vol.78 (6), p.516-521
• Main Authors: ALLSOPP, A. J, SUTHERLAND, R, WOOD, P, WOOTTON, S. A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological - physiology; Adolescent; Adult; Aldosterone - blood; Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hot Temperature; Humans; Male; Sodium, Dietary - metabolism; Sodium, Dietary - pharmacokinetics; Sweating - drug effects; Sweating - physiology; Thermoregulation. Hibernation. Estivation. Ecophysiology and environmental effects; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Water-Electrolyte Balance - physiology; Weight Loss
• ISSN: 0301-5548; 1439-6319; 1432-1025; 1439-6327
• DOI: 10.1007/s004210050454

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.