Relationship between Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide and Whole-Body Sweat Rateduring Exercise

摘要

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between vasoactiveintestinal polypeptide (VIP) and sweat rate during exercise. Seven male volunteers performed one hour of exercise at 60% of their maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) in 15 degC, 25 degC, and 35 degC conditions. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, whole-body sweat rate, and forearm skin blood flow were measured during each condition. Sweat rate and delta VIP (postexercise value minus preexercise value) demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) linear relationship, with r = 0.73. Forearm skin blood flow and VIP were also linearly related, with r = 0.46 (p < 0.05). These results support the hypothesis that active cutaneous vasodilation and sweat rate are physiologically linked via the co-release of acetylcholine and VIP at the eccrine sweat gland. Furthermore, these findings strongly suggest that VIP plays a role in the human thermoregulatory response to exercise in the heat.