Atropine-Induced Cutaneous Vasodilation Decreases Body Temperature during Exercise,

Abstract

Systemic atropine enhances forearm cutaneous blood flow (FBF) but depresses forearm sweating (m sub s) in warm environments, as previously shown in our laboratory. To further examine thermoregulatory consequences of this increased FBF, four healthy males were studied during 30 minutes of seated exercise. Esophageal (T sub es) and mean skin (T sub sk) temperatures, m sub s metabolism (M), heart rate (HR) and FBF were measured during control and following 2 mg (im) atropine. All eight skin temperatures increased with atropine which implies widespread cutaneous vasodilation. The enhanced sensible heat loss with atropine during constant intensity exercise caused T sub es to decrease, resulting in a further significant m sub s depression. The decreased central drive did not result in peripheral vasoconstriction, suggesting that the dilation was peripherally controlled and non-responsive to the thermoregulatory controller. Keywords: Cholinergic blockade.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1987
Accession Number
ADA186453

Entities

People

  • Anne E. Allan
  • Lou A. Stephenson
  • Margaret A. Kolka
  • Paul B. Rock

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Atropine
  • Blood
  • Blood Flow
  • Body Temperature
  • Central Nervous System
  • Classification
  • Environment
  • Heart Rate
  • Heat Loss
  • Intensity
  • Measurement
  • Nervous System
  • Regulations
  • Security
  • Sweat Glands
  • Sweating
  • Thermocouples

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Exercise and Sports Science.