Atropine-Induced Cutaneous Vasodilation Decreases Esophageal Temperature during Exercise.

摘要

Four healthy adult males volunteered for this study, which followed informed-consent procedures administered by our local Human Use Committee. Esophageal and mean skin temperatures, forearm sweating rate, metabolism, heart rate, and forearm blood flow were measured at rest and during exercise 55% OXYGEN CONSUMPTION PEAK during control experiments and after 2 mg im atropine (ATR). Experiments were randomized and separated by at least 72 h. ATR increased heart rate at rest by 15 beats/min and during exercise by 24 beats/min. ATR decreased whole body sweating by 57%. All eight local skin temperatures were higher in ATR than in control. The higher sensible heat flux from this vasodilation decreased Tes during exercise, which further decreased sweating. Skin blood flow remained elevated as Tes decreased, suggesting that local vasodilatory factors promoted atropine-induced cutaneous vasodilation. Keywords: Body temperature regulation; Plethysmography; Sweating. Reprints. (sdw)